Apparatus for dispensing money orders

Abstract

A two-part money order dispenser for printing alphanumeric indicia on preprinted money order forms includes a terminal having a keyboard for operating the dispenser and a card swipe device for reading information from a magnetic card packaged with a bundle of blank preprinted money order forms for automatic entry of the forms-related information into a memory associated with the terminal when loading the forms into the dispenser. A printer having a memory association therewith is connected to the terminal for communicating with the terminal information allowing access to the printer through an encrypted password and communication of information necessary for printing money orders. Bit-mapped graphical and alphanumeric information routinely printed is stored within the printer. Multilevel security codes having definable privileges associated therewith, a program generated security font, and a blank form retraction feature provided security against altered or counterfeit money orders. The configuration of the two-part dispenser further allows efficient utilization of limited or crowded counter space. The printer of the dispenser has an L-shaped configuration to facilitate its mounting at any convenient location.

We claim: 
     
       1. A dispenser for issuing negotiable instruments comprising: a control terminal;   a keyboard connected to the control terminal for entering data and operating the control terminal;   memory means associated with the control terminal for storing control programs, control data, multiple level security codes having associated privileges at different security levels, and transaction data;   a printer for printing alphanumeric indicia on preprinted money order forms;   memory means associated with the printer for storing printer control programs, bit-mapped printer mask information, print instructions received from the control terminal and transaction data;   means connecting the terminal to the printer for communicating print instructions from the control terminal and for communicating an encrypted message instructing that an algorithm be performed to issue a password signalling the printer to proceed with the printing of a document;   means connected to the control terminal for reading a magnetically encoded card for automatically entering information into the control terminal relating to the number of money order forms, size of form, and serial numbers of a specific series of blank money order forms being loaded into the printer;   retraction means for retracting unprinted money order forms for preventing removal of money order forms from the printer when not printing;   sensor means in the printer for detecting timing marks printed on the back of money order forms at predetermined spaced apart intervals in a series of blank money order forms for insuring alignment and serial number sequencing of the next available form before printing and for determining the size of the forms being printed;   timing means within the control terminal for marking events in response to data imputed into the control terminal;   tracking and recording means within the control terminal for tracking and recording events marked by the timing means; and   printer housing having an angled configuration for adaptive positioning in relation to limited availability of a supporting surface.   
     
     
       2. The money order dispenser of claim 1, wherein the timing means within the control terminal comprises a clock. 
     
     
       3. The money order dispenser of claim 2, wherein the clock includes a battery backup system in the event of power failures. 
     
     
       4. The money order dispenser of claim 1, wherein the tracking and recording means within the control terminal tracks and record multiple events simultaneously. 
     
     
       5. The money order dispenser of claim 1, wherein the bit-mapped printer mask within the memory means of the printer comprises graphical and alphanumeric data.